Cape Girardeau Native becomes president of Southwest Airlines

Cape Girardeau native Mike Van de Ven has been named president of Southwest Airlines

Southwest is one of the nation’s largest air carriers.  

The Southeastern Missourian reports that Van de Ven was a 1980 graduate of Cape Girardeau High School. 

He joined the Dallas-based airline in 1993 and has served in numerous leadership capacities.    

He will continue to serve as Southwest’s COO in addition to his new role as president